Open-Rank, Tenured/Tenure-Track Cyber Security Engineering Faculty
Department: Col of Engineering and Computing
Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty
Job Category: Instructional Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
GMU’s CYSE Department is a national leader in shaping the future of secure-by-design systems. Home to the first undergraduate Cyber Security Engineering program in the United States and the first ABET-accredited program in this field, CYSE has grown rapidly and is now the largest engineering department at GMU with 800 students and a vibrant, expanding research ecosystem. Established in 2020 after the success of its trailblazing BS program (launched in 2015), CYSE embodies innovation, interdisciplinarity, and real-world impact.
Located in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, the cybersecurity capital of the nation, CYSE leverages unparalleled proximity to federal agencies, defense organizations, national labs, and industry partners. Our mission is to be a national reference of excellence and innovation, conducting transformative research and educating the next generation of engineers who will build a more secure and just society. We invite forward-looking scholars to join this momentum.
About the Position:
The faculty member develops a program of scholarly research, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, participates in university, college and departmental governance, conducts professional and public service, and performs related instructional assignments such as supervising senior projects, student internships and practicum.
Responsibilities:
- Successful candidates will be expected to develop, update, and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
- Develop an independent, externally funded research program;
- Advise students; and
- Participate in all aspects of the department’s mission; and serve the profession.
Required Qualifications:
- Applicants must have received a PhD in Cyber Security, Engineering, Computer Science or a related field by the start date of the position;
- Should have demonstrated potential for excellence and productivity in research, academic service, and a commitment to high-quality teaching;
- Qualified candidates should demonstrate excellence in research (track record or strong potential) and teaching;
- Committed to interdisciplinary collaboration (across hardware, communications, control systems, AI, quantum technologies); and
- Be enthusiastic about building programs at the intersection of cybersecurity engineering and emerging technologies.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Post-quantum cryptography and quantum‐secure systems engineering;
- Secure and trustworthy AI/ML systems;
- Quantum communications and quantum network security;
- Hardware trust, supply-chain assurance, and secure heterogeneous computing (including post-quantum/quantum accelerators);
- Resilient cyber‐physical systems and critical infrastructure in the AI/quantum era;
- Quantum‐cyber threat modeling and adversarial vulnerability in quantum/cryptographic systems;
- Next-generation wireless/edge/IoT security (5G/6G/AI/quantum integration);
- Cybersecurity for emerging computing paradigms (neuromorphic, bio‐cyber systems, quantum/hybrid computing);
- Preference will also be given to candidates whose work complements and amplifies the CYSE Department’s existing strengths in wireless/5G security, digital forensics, AI, and cyber‐physical systems; and
- Exceptional candidates in emerging areas of cybersecurity not listed above will also be considered.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Open-Rank, Tenured/Tenure-Track Cyber Security Engineering Faculty at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide 1) a cover letter, 2) complete CV with publications, 3) statement of professional goals including your perspective on teaching (upload as Philosophy of Teaching); 4) research statement; and 5) transcript (optional). Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Posting Open Date: December 10, 2025
For Full Consideration, Apply by: January 15, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia’s Technology Corridor
About the College:
The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC more than 11,000 students in fall 2025. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 326 instructional faculty, 100 are tenured, 64 are tenure-track, 100 are term faculty, and 62 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $83.7 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $66.8 million in awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity for faculty to work with other disciplines.
About the University and the Region:
George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.
About the Future:
In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, George Mason has committed to accelerate its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation—a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy—and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse a new 355,000 square foot building, opened to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by George Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.
Mason Ad Statement
Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.
If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!
George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/
Quicklink to apply: https://listings.jobs.gmu.edu/jobs/open-rank-tenured-tenure-track-cyber-security-engineering-faculty-fairfax-va-virginia-united-states-other
